Aggressive Clowns?

So its January now and I've had my 55 Gal tank est. since last May. I bought a par of Ocellaris Clowns and introduced them together back in May. A week later I added a Flame Angel, a Yellow Tang, and a 6 Line Wrasse. Everything was good. The 6 Line disappeared out of my tank (snowflake eel may have gotten him lol) so today I picked up a Rainbow Wrasse. Both clowns have been chasing this poor fish around for the past few hours and nipping at her/him. Any idea why they are teaming up on the bigger fish....do they have "little fish syndrom"? lol

 

Welcome to 3reef,

Clown fish can be extremely territorial, when established.

I would attempt to move some of the rocks around to establish new territories, that will keep the clown fish busy and hopefully allow the wrasse time to acclimate in peace. Turning off the lighting helps as well.

Good luck.

 

no they;re clowns and once paired can get aggressive towards their territory! what's your total stock right now! A yellow tang, 2 clowns, a snow flake eel, flame angel and a wrasse?

 

They may just be a little nervous about new arrival, is the new fish going near their territory? Maybe their just keeping the new one in check.

 

and a dragon goby

 

not really...the new fish is just trying to swim around n check stuff out. The clowns follow every move it makes unless it hides behind some rocks. Its only a 55 gal tank so the clowns really don't seem to have a specific territory. They swim all over the place but once the new wrasse comes out ...attack! haha

 

There is a good chance they will kill the new fish. :-(

 

do you have a decent sized sump or alot of filters? Between the 2 clowns tang snowflake eel and wrasse, that's alot of aggression and fish for a 55 gallon! I'd stop adding fish and let what you have live in peace, at least as much as they can! I'd listen to your fish and stop adding ones to die! They seem like they're maxed out! Your gonna face an ich battle if you keep the stress levels up! IMO

 

not really a haha moment!

 

well i was told the amount of fish in my tank is just fine...my water tests out fine and I have a decent filter and protein skimmer set up. Guess we will see what happens.